Post-pulling device



FehlL 393590 A. s. YENCHA ETAL fi p fi POST PULLING DEVICE Original Filed May 12,. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 (my W W 1930. A. s. YENCHA ET AL fi,74$,920

POST PULLING DEVICE Original Filed May 12, 1925 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.9;

INVENTDRS Alba 5. Yamaha & J0 nAFomSb ATTOR N EY Patented Feb. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES lit-M326 PATET OFFECE ALBERT s, YENGHA AND JOHN FORISH, or UNITY rowlvsnir, wnsrr onntenn COUNTY, rmvns Lvan-m rQswvtm nE IcE Application filed May 12, 1.725, Serial No. 29,698. Renewed June 4, 1929.

Our invention relates to post-pulling devices and particularly to devices for pulling pit and other posts in abandoned mine pits.

One object of our invention is to provide a device of the above-indicated character that shall better ensure the safety of the operator.

Another object of our invention is to greatly facilitate the post-pulling operation.

Another object of our invention is to so initially loosen a post from position as to render the pulling operation relatively easy.

Another object of our invention is to provide a post-pulling device that shall impart both turnin and direct pulling movements to a post in response to a single operating move.- ment.

Another object of our invention is to provide means for imparting a continuous pulling movement to a pit post, as against the intermittent or step-by-step movements of devices heretofore employed.

Another object of our invention is to provide a post-pulling device in which the applied force shall be greatly magnified but in which the speed of pulling shall be increased.

Another object of our invention is to provide a post-attachment structure in a postpulling device by means of which a post may be pulled and left near its original position or pulled and transported clear of said position for recovery and further use.

Another object of our invention is to provide a pit-post pulling device by which an operator may better utilize his strength.

Another object of our invention is to provide a device that shall not only be adapted for pulling pit posts as so known but that shall be adapted for dislodging the cross members or collars of mines and be operable for other similar applications.

A further object of our invention is to provide a pest-pulling device that shall be simple and durable in construction, economical'to manufacture and effective in its operation.

Vith such objects in view, as well as other advantages which may be incident to the utilization of the improvement, the invention consists in the parts and combinations thereof hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several I SGQSSHry elements constituting the same may be varied in proportion and arrangement without departing from the nature and scope of the in-' vention.

In coal and other mining practice, it is usual to support the mine roof or ceiling by props or posts, known as pit posts, which, when the mine or a'portion of the mine or pit has been fully worked, or when it is otherwise necessary or desired to abandon the same, should be removed.

It has been the practice, in removing pit posts, for operators to dislodge the same by the use of sledge hammers and other crude implements in too'close proximity to the posts, with the result of injury and death to certain of the operators from immediate cave-ins which sometimes occur. I i

One device of theprior art, which has been extensively employed, comprises an ordinary hook for embracing a post near its base, and a chain for connecting the hook to a remotely disposed step-by-step or ratchetingelement.

This device is relatively unwieldy, is slow in operation, more often requires the services of two operators who are able to'work only withdiiliculty, and, by reason of its slowness of operation, frequently causes the loss of the hook and parts of the chain which are buried with the fall.

It is our aim to overcome all of the ob jections to, and the disadvantages of, the devices heretofore used and to provide a safer and more effective post-pulling device that shall facilitate its manipulation by only one operator and that shall in other. ways be better adapted for its purpose.

Accordingly, in practicing our invention, we provide an element for direct attachment to a post by which the latter is given an initial turning or loosening movement, after which the direct pull is made considerably s er.- h ta hm n is l o -5 constructed as to permit the choice of attaching it to pull and release the post or to pull and drag the post to a position where itmay be safely recovered. As above stated, this 93. ture is provided in order that posts in good condition and fit for further use may be salvaged and that it will not be necessary to drag posts that, while still able to support the pit roof for some time, are not deemed fit for new installations. The operations are thereby considerably facilitated.

In co-operation with the above-mentioned attachment, a pulling element for remote di position relative thereto, and connection to the attachment by a relatively long chain, is provided to impart continuous movement to the attachment and to better utilize the strength of the operator. This element comprises a win'ding-drum-and-ratchet device by which the above-mentioned slack-adjusting operation is avoided, a continuous or rotating gear-reducing mechanism, the speed of which may be increased, as the post begins to fall, to prevent the burial of the post and other parts, and a means for so supporting and positionining a hitch post relative to the pulling element as to greatly assist the operator in the manipulation thereof.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, means areshown in the accompanying drawings for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the im provements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, are made the sub ject of illustration.

Figure 1 is an outline assembly view of the complete set-up of our invention, as it appears in a mine pit from a position at one side thereof,

Figure 2 is an elevational detail view of a flexible element for direct attachment to a post which is to be pulled, shown at the lefthand side of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view of the deviceof Fig. 2 as releasably attached to the post,-

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the parts thereof after a turning movement has been imparted to the post and the attaching element has unfolded for directly pulling the post prior to releasing it,

Fig. 5 isa diagrammatic view of the setup shown in Fig. 3, with the convolutions or turns of the flexible attaching element distorted laterally, as viewed from above, to give a better idea of the peculiar positions thereof when'in position on the post which has been omitted for clearness,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, with the post omitted, showing the method of attaching the various portions of the element of Fig. 2 to each other, when in position on the post, to drag the element away from its operative position, 7 r

Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged detail views of members constituting parts of the device shown in Fig. 2,

Figs. 9 and 10 are, respectively, plan and side elevational views of a pulling element, shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 1., with parts omitted for clearness, and

Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of a portion of the device shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Referring to Fig. 1, the device comprises, in general, an attachment 2 for mounting on a pit post 3 or other member to be pulled, a pulling element 4 for co-operation with a hitch post 5, and a relatively long pull chain 6 for connection between the attachment 2 and the pulling element 4. I

Referring to F 2, the attachment 2 com prises a member 8, of substantially triangular plate form, to which a hook 9, and flexible elements or chains 10 and 11 are independently connected at-positions substantially 120 apart. The member 8 has a laterallyflanged inner portion 12 that is curved to be a nearly average fit partially around the pit or other posts against which it is adapted to be placed and a portion 14, projecting outwardly from the portion 12, to which the hook 9 is attached and which, in operative position, constitutes .a lever arm projecting radially from the post.

A link 15, having an elongated slot 16 therein, is flexibly connected, at one end, to an intermediate link of the chain 10 which also carries, at an outer end, a grapple or positioning member 18. The latter, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 4 and 8, is of nearly spoon-shape having an outer-end hook or claw portion 19, on its inner side surface, for engagement with the post 3, and a longitu'dinally-and centrally channeled portion 20, between flanges 21, on its outer side surface. A hook 23, constructed for attachment to the link 15, through the slot 16 thereof, is connected to the outer end of the chain 11.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the pulling element 4 comprises, in general, a supporting structure 25, a winding drum or cylinder 26, a reduction-gear mechanism 27, a pawl-andratchet device 29, a main operating member 30, an auxiliary operating member 31 and a seat structure 32 for positioning and sup porting the hitch post 5. I

The supporting structure comprises upper and lower plates 35 and 36 between which perpendicular intermediate braces 37 and diagonally-disposed corner braces 38 are connected to form a rigid structure. In Fig. 10, the near braces 37 and 38, shown at the bottom of Fig. 9, are omitted-for clearness.

The drum 26, which is rotatably supported in the plates 35 and 36, is preferably pro? vided with a reduced portion 39 in the plate 36 and may be provided with renewable bearings, of a usual and well-known type (not shown), opposite its positions of support in the plates.

A screw eyelet 40, or other suitable device, is provided on the drum 26 for attaching one end of the pull chain 6 thereto.

A fiat plate-like or discoidal protective cover member 41, having an apertured offset portion 42 for pivotal mounting on a pin 43 aboutits pivot.

The reduction-gear mechanism 27 comprises a, relatively large gear wheel 46 that.

is fixed to the drum 26 adjacent to the under side of the up ier plate 35, as by a key 47,

for engagement with a similarly disposed relatively smaller gear wheel or pinion 48 that is preferably similarly fixed to a shaft 49 1Cpnstituting a member of the operating mem- The shaft 49, similarly to the drum 26, is provided, at its lower end, with a reduced portion 50 and renewable bearings (not shown) in the plates 35 and 36. The main operating member 30 further comprises a wheel or handle portion 52 that is fixed to the shaft 49 forturning the latter.

The pawl-and-ratchet device 29 comprises a ratchet wheel 53, that is keyed to the shaft d9, above the plate 35, for co-operation with a pawl 5.4. The latter is pivotally mounted on a pin or shaft 55 in the plate 35 and has an arm or releasing handle portion 56 that is connected, by a spring 57, to a stationary pin58- in the plate 35. As shown in the drawing, the spring 57 biases the pawl 54 clockwise aboutthe pin 55 to hold a portion 59 of the pawl against the ratchet wheel 53 and to thereby prevent counter-clockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel, except when the pawl is released therefrom by turning the pawl against the action of the spring 57.

The auxiliary operating member 31 is constructed asa metal plate that is secured, as by akey 61, to the shaft l9 and is provided with a plurality of openings 62 that extend diagonally therethrough, about the shaft 49, for the reception of a crowbar 63 or similar device. This feature is provided to assist, or to supplant, the operator of the handle 52, in

' extremely difficult operations, by permitting leading-in means for easily sliding the hitchpost 5 into position, without lifting it over the side member 68. Openings 69, in the upper plate 35, permit portions 76 of the plate 35 to be utilized as handles for transporting the pulling element 4 from place to place.

"In setting up the device for pulling the pit post 3., as indicated in. Fig. 1, thepulling element 4.- is positioned a safe distance from the post 3 and the hitchpost 5. is placed on the seat structure 32, with its upper end braced against, the roof or ceiling of the pit. The post 5 rests, with its plane hottornend on the sloping surface Y67, and extends, normal thereto, to the pit roof, at an angle to the vertical, sloping, from its lower end to its upper end, toward the pit post. This arrangement of parts provides a 'wedging brace, between thepit ceiling and floor, for firmly anchoring the pulling element 4; in position. The pull chain 6, which is normally wound on the drum 26, is then unwound and its outer end led to a position adjacent to the pit post 3.

Referring to Figs. 2,, 3, 4 and 5., if the post is not deemed fit for further use or, if for other reasons, it is not desired to recover the post, the attachment 2, of Fig. 2, is placed around the post, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and. 5, the latter figure being a diagrammatic representation of the same hookrup as illustrated in Fig. 3. r

In effecting the above mentioned hook-up, the triangular plate or lever member 8 is placed against the side of the post 3 and the chain 10 wound around the post. In extending the chain 10 around the post, an intermediate portion thereof is placed over the positioning or claw member 18 in the channel 20, between the ridges 21 thereon. From this position, the chain' is further wound around the post, under or over the member 8, to the claw member 18. Thu's,with clockwisemovement of the member 8, as viewed in the drawings, the chain turns effect a snubloing or Windlass action, to cause the member 18 and the chain to more firmly grip the post.

In this hook-up, the hook 23 is connected to the link 15, so that, before the turning movement is completed and before .direct-' pulling movement occurs, the chain 11 lies in. the form of an idle loop at one sideof the pest. V

The poll chain .6 is then attached to the hook 9 on themember 8 and the complete structure is ready for pulling the post.

An operator then stations himself at a position to t is extreme right, as viewed in Fig. 1, and proceeds to turn the handle 52 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. This turning operation beginsthe winding of the chain 6, on the drum 2.6, and also, the turning of the member 8 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5. The post is thus turned about its longitudinal axis and, Since there is, at the same time, a pulling component'at substantially right angles to this axis,

at the base thereof, the post is quickly and easily loosened.

The combined efiects of the geaiereduction means, on the operating element 4, and the 1ever..-arr n member 18,011 the postz serve-to.

render it comparatively easy .for a single operator to loosen the post, regardless of the tightness with which the same may be secured in position. I Y

' Vith continued turning of the handle 52,

the parts, which are initially disposed as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, resolve themselves into the configuration shown in Fig. 4:, in which the chains 10 and 11 form a simple loop around the post 8, and in which a short portion of the chain 10, carrying the claw member 18, is released to an idling condition or position, as shown.

Further turning of the handle 52 and, consequently, pulling on the chain 6, causes the post 3 to fall, with its lower end toward the operator. During, or after, the latter part of this falling movement, the attachment 2, in its simple loop form, of Fig. 4, pulls out from under the post and, with the pulling load thereon thus released, may rapidly be withdrawn from the vicinity of the post, by speeding up the turning movement ofthe handle 52. Such speeding up is not possible with the prior art device, above described, in which certain of the parts are caught in the fall of earth or slate and damaged or lost. In applicants device, all of the parts are recovered, free of damage, for further use.

\Vhether the attachment 2 is released from the post 3, as above described, or whether it is attached thereto, as hereinafter described,

to drag the post with it, the above-mentioned speeding-up operation is permitted to a suflicient degree, by the release of the post from its roof-supporting or holding position, to save the parts, by preventing the burial thereof beneath the fallen slate or earth.

Referring'to Fig. 6, when it is desired to recover the post 3, the chain 10 and the member 8 are placed on the post, as in Figs. 3 and 5, but the chain 11, instead of being looped around outwardly or counter-clockwise, in space,'from the post, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, is wound around the post in a clockwise direction, and the hook 23 is connected to the link 15. In this condition, when the above-describedoperation of the handle 52 is effected, the attachment 2, instead of resolving itself into the simple-loop form of Fig. l, develops into a similar form but with a. chain ring or loop extending completely around the post in tightly-engaging position thereon. Hence, when the post falls, as above described, the attachment 2 is not released therefrom but maintains its hold thereon.

The speeding-up" operation, in this instance,'requires a little more effort on the part'of the operator, by reason of the weight of the'pos t, but the results are substantially the same.

"The; attachment 2 of Fig. 2 has been shown in Figs. 3,4, 5 and'6as mounted on the post 31"tor clockwise movement of the post, as

viewed in the drawings, but it is obvious that the parts may be reversed, where necessary or advisable, for turning the post in the opposite or counterclockwise direction.

It is not contemplated that much use of the auxiliary operating member 31 will be required but it'is provided to ensure the pulling of posts that may be unusually strongly held in position.

\Vhile our invention has only been shown in its application for pulling what are known in mining practice as pit posts, it is also adapted for dislodging the so called collars or cross members in entries or other places in mines, where the cross members rest at, or adjacent to, the ends thereof on pit posts. Further similar applications are also contemplated.

The device of our invention is extremely simple, compact, and durable in construction and effective in its operation. It is readily portable, easy to install and to operate and, in

general, facilitates and economizes the opera-' tions for which it is intended and is a material improvement in the art to which it is related. I

e claim as our invention:

1. A post-pulling device comprising a memher having a portion for positioning against a post and a radially-projecting lever-arm portion, a member having an inner portion for holding engagement with. a post and an portion, a member having a portion for holding relation to a post and a receiving portion, a flexible element connected between said members for winding about the post through said receiving portion, attaching means disposed at an intermediate position of said element, and asecond flexible element connected to said lever-arm member for cooperation with said attaching means.

3. A post-pulling device comprising a memher having a bearing portion for positioning against a post and a radially-projecting lever-arm portion, a member having an inner portion for holding relation to a post and an outer oppositely-disposed chain-receiving portion, and a chain connected between said members for Winding about the post through said receiving portion to hold said inner portion in position.

4. A post-pulling device comprising a memher having abearing portion for positioning against a post and a radially-projecting le-- ver-arm portion, a'second member having an inner portion for holding relation to a post and an outer oppositely-disposed chain-receiving portion, achain connectedbetween said members for winding about the post through said receiving portion to hold said inner portion in position, and a second chain connected at one end to said first member and adapted to be connected at its other end to an intermediate link of said first chain.

5. A post-pulling device comprising a memher having a bearing portion for positioning against a post and a radially-projecting lever-arm portion adapted for connection to a pulling element, a holding member having an inner claw portion at one end for engagement with the post and an outer channeled chain-receiving portion at said end, a chain connected between one end of said first member and the other end of said holding memher for winding about the post through said channel, a second chain connected at one end to the other end of the first member, and cooperating hook-and-link members mounted one at an intermediate portion of said first chain and the other at the other end of the second chain.

6. A post pulling device comprising a member having a portion for positioning against a post and a lever-arm portion, a member having a portion for holding relation to the post, a flexible element connected between said members for attaching the device to the post and automatically releasing the device from the post in response to movement of the post, and a flexible element connected to said first member for co-operation with said first flexible element to prevent release of the device from the post.

7. In combination, in apparatus for pulling pit posts in mines, a pulling element for extension between a position adjacent to a post and a position displaced therefrom, and a device adapted to connect the element to the postand operative in response to pulling movement of the element to turn and fell the post, said device being adapted to be connected to the post in one predetermined position relative thereto to remain connected to v ment, of a device for connection between said element and a post to be pulled including means for effecting selective predetermined connections of the device to the post for pulling the post and retaining the device in con nected relation to the post and for pulling the post and disconnecting the device from the post in response to the pulling thereof.

9. In combination, in apparatus for pulling pit posts in mines, a pulling element for ex tension between a position adjacent to a post and a position displaced therefrom, and a device adapted to connect the element to the post and operative in response to pulling movement of the element to turn and fell the post, said device lncluding cooperating portions adapted to be disposed in one preetermined position relative to each other to connect the device to the post in one predetermined position relative thereto to remain connected to the post after it has fallen to salvage both the device and the post by further pulling movement of the element, said cooperating portions also being adapted to be disposed in another predetermined position relative to each other to connect the device to the postin another predetermined position relative thereto to disconnect from the post after it has fallen to salvage the device by further pulling movement.

10. In combination, in apparatus for pulling pit posts in mines, a pulling element for extension between a position adjacent to a post and a position displaced therefrom, and a device adapted to connect the element to the post and operative in response to pullingmovement of the element to turn and fell the post, said device including cooperating flexible portions adapted to be Wound about the post and connected to each other in one predetermined position relative to each other to remain connected to the post after it has fallen to salvage both the device and the post by further pulling movement of the element, one of said flexible'portions being adapted to be wound about the post and the other connected in predetermined relation thereto whereby the flexible portions form a single loose loop about the post after it has been turned to fell the post and to slip over an end of the post to be separated therefrom after it has fallen to salvage the device by further pulling movement.

11. In combination, in apparatus for pulling pit posts in mines, a pulling element for extension between a position adjacent to a post and a position displaced therefrom, and a device adapted to connect the element to the post and operative in response to pulling movement of the element to turn and fell the post, said device including means for tightly embracing the post during the turning thereof and for loosely embracing the post after the turning movement to exert a direct pull on the post to fell the same and to withdraw therefrom over one end thereof in response to further pulling movement after the post has fallen.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 8th day of May,

ALBERT S. YENCHA. JOHN A. FORISH. 

